Chapter 17: A Dark Night of Murder, a Windy Night of Arson

After returning from the Medical Nether Valley last time, he had thought he could settle everything within a day or two. Unexpectedly, those people had brought in reinforcements, dragging the trouble out for a whole month before it was thoroughly eliminated. He hadn’t had a proper rest for half a month.

The door creaked open.

Guifang entered, carrying a bowl of medicinal stew. This was the very same concoction that Luo Qianfan had prepared back in the Medical Nether Valley to help him replenish and restore his foundation. Dongfang Yuyue had been taking it without interruption ever since.

“Master, it’s time for your medicine.” Seeing Dongfang Yuyue so absent-minded, Guifang’s eyes welled up with tears.

To think that his master, so peerlessly elegant and extraordinary in bearing, would fall for a reckless, inexperienced youth—it was as if fate itself envied such talent. It was a pity that his master, so young and promising, had gone astray and halted his progress entirely.

Thinking this, Guifang couldn’t help but lash out at himself. If it weren’t for him, how could his master have been so unlucky, faced so many troubles, or endured such torment? All of it was his fault…

Memories surfaced.

At night, under a growing moonlight, it was the night of slaughter.

Back then, he was not here but in a world brimming with prodigies and masters.

At that time, his master possessed a face that stirred envy, a prestigious lineage, and extraordinary power.

In that realm, the name Dongfang Yuyue was like a god—feared and revered wherever it appeared.

But it was because of him…

He remembered that night when the moon shone especially bright and large. Suddenly, a horde of deadly assassins appeared out of nowhere.

They attacked fiercely, their numbers considerable, for that day marked the anniversary of his master’s mother’s death. The situation was delicate and obscure to most, so Dongfang Yuyue brought only a few close comrades.

Yet even so, they were caught off guard and ambushed. His master fought bloodthirstily, brothers shedding blood in fierce combat, their momentum turning the tide.

Perhaps sensing victory, Guifang relaxed for a moment when suddenly, someone struck at his forehead with full force. If it went as expected, Guifang’s death was certain.

At that critical moment, Dongfang Yuyue swept in like a ghost, taking the blow himself. Meanwhile, from afar, a slender poisoned needle swiftly slipped into Dongfang Yuyue’s sleeve.

At first, it seemed like a mere assassination attempt, nothing extraordinary. But upon returning, they discovered the master’s martial prowess waning, his legs growing weak and feeble. Turmoil brewed overnight within the clan, shadows of hidden death.

To stabilize the situation, they reluctantly relocated to the Wind Yue Kingdom—a low-tier state by strict standards, weak in power.

It was a place Dongfang Yuyue could never have imagined, let alone live in.

Yet it was all because of him…

What made it worse was that upon arriving in Wind Yue Kingdom, Emperor Feng Yue publicly assigned Dongfang Yuyue the title of a prince but secretly allowed other princes to scheme against him.

Assassination attempts on the Yu Prince’s mansion happened frequently. If not for the master’s tolerance, they, the petty villains, would have long perished.

Later, Dongfang Yuyue legitimately stayed here under the title of Yu Prince to recuperate, but in truth, he was concealing his strength and acting as a hidden strategist.

Since then, Guifang had regarded Dongfang Yuyue as his reborn parent. In his eyes, Dongfang Yuyue was a deity whom no one dared offend, which explained their initial encounter with Luo Qianfan.

Hence, he felt regret.

If not for him, his master would never have come to this forsaken place, nor would he have had to run around seeking cures, much less endure the palace’s unrest.

Guifang sank deep into his nightmares and regrets, unable to extricate himself.

Dongfang Yuyue saw Guifang holding the bowl of medicinal stew with one hand, staring blankly at him, while the other hand kept beating himself.

Clearing his throat softly, Dongfang Yuyue pulled Guifang back to reality.

“Ahem, ma-master…” Guifang stammered.

“Enough. Put the medicine down and go out first,” Dongfang Yuyue nodded.

“Yes.”

After Guifang left, Dongfang Yuyue opened his palm and tried to gather internal energy, but the sparks barely formed before dissipating.

“In the end, it’s still no use?” he murmured softly, unwillingness hidden nowhere in his eyes.

With my current strength, how long must I wait before reclaiming what is rightfully mine and protecting those I wish to protect?